Conservation Week

My TED viewing for Conservation Week- Christine Medici (conservationist - Brazil) The Coolest Animal You Know Nothing About- and How we can save it
Tapirs are known as Gardeners of the Forest

So glad I watched this- I knew so little about this gorgeous, harmless creature that is a very important part of biodiversity and critical for maintaining the natural balance in the places it lives.

http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_medici_the_coolest_animal_you_know_nothing_about_and_how_we_can_save_it?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=image__2015-11-04#t-678252

E Learning Starter Kete

Discovered the Starter Kete helping educators like myself to learn and collaborate online. This will take some time to work through and I will pick parts that interest me. Definitely a holiday project. Always wanted to know more about webinars, VLN ( Virtual Learning Network) I do need to seriously consider Facbook/Twitter because I'm pretty sure I'm missing some good things.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aveLbLMka4sbunplqfFCuq_je04XgBxnrgDnFD_GMv4/edit#heading=h.haapch

Could it Get Worse?

This year seems to have been littered with a series of mishaps- all that I've learned from- but in the midst of them it feels very uncomfortable. I'm stressed, worried and feeling very inadequate. What an incredibly lonely job this can be when you don't want to share the downers...

End of Year Term 4 assessments and forward thinking

Time to be very focussed and organised about what to do and when so that everything is done on time. Don't want anybody to be feeling stressed or overloaded but that is a really a reality. It all happens at once. There's so much assessment/data gathering that you don't want to be doing early. As well as getting all this done I'm forward thinking as to how to make things simpler and more streamlined next week.

Numeracy Anne Baker You Tube clip

This particular video resonated with me and I understood very clearly how Anne worked to develop success in her maths class- Problem Solving lesson- Some notes Maths class rules- you can talk to each other, you don't have to sit there in silence- no riubbing out, if you make a mistake you put a line through it and keep working out- all your thinking goes on your page- pictures, numbers etc Give think time, expectations, confidence to tackle a problem As moving around students ask questions, prompting questions, but no telling or showing Start talking with a child as soon as they have enough info on their page Tell me what you've done, why you have done it, is there another way you could have done it, how did you work it out, can you prove it to me- it's an intensive interview to see what the child is bringing to the task, then starts to prompt to see if they can go a little bit further, watching and listening very carefully, Always asks permission to write the story of what they told her on their work sample. If no permission she uses a stick it She records the documentary evidence, what the child did without assistance, with a prompt, what scaffolding was given and what child did as a result of the scaffold, now has documentary diagnostic evidence needed She selects 2 or 3 work samples to share with class- might choose one with an error in it, uses one from a less able student as well as a more sophisticated one, On the mat she involves students in explaining what their thinking was, what their strategy was. The class might be involved in summarising, in asking questions. This is a community of learners learning from each others, expecting to share ideas. This is a time for teacher input- comparing methods, might show another way of thinking about this, The lesson isn't complete until the maths has been deconstructed by the students, their work has been shared and peer learning has taken place If we want students to have a positive disposition to Maths we've got to make sure everybody has success and make even the least able child feel successful- their work though incomplete could be used to share so that they feel highly successful because their work sample has been valued She does not focus on the answer- work on unpacking the problem and find smart ways of parts within the problem. From the problem solving lesson we can pick up the strategy teaching the next day

End of Term 3

2 days to go, a mountain of To Do's but it doesn't feel too overwhelming. Knowing that I can spend time on everything over the hols really helps.
Have lots of data collection from my own class to do and analysing it. Even though there's only the one term left I'm hoping that there will still be lots of learning and progress happening.
Now I'm thinking about reports and that gets the blood pressure rising! That's before even thinking about looking at everyone elses.
Want to spend some time preparing maths for observation next term.
Found the ALiM on NZ Maths interesting especially for our slow learners that struggle to each expected levels. Will share with team in a minute.
Have loved the work on Poetry we've been doing in class and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of writing from many children.
Thrilled to have found new website with appropriate poems to share- Miss Marg. She has a nice range of classroom posters to use as well.

Google Docs PD

This continues to be a big learning curve and the dots are starting to join together. So moving from teacherwrite to Google Docs for Middle Team will happen- when I have the time - probably the holidays.

Andrea is giving us the PD we need. It is unrealistic to expect anybody to be using Google docs without having the necessary PD. I'm sure this is another stress on teachers this year.
As much as we need to be working on PD curriculum based, this really an everyday priority for us all.

Maths PLD

Collectively as a team I think we all felt more comfortable with Dinah this time. There is no doubt that we all hold her in high regard and see her as a guru!
The team is very supportive of one another and I felt as if we really shined over the 2 days of modelling and observations. GO TEAM!!
Very reflective and goal driven practice is what I am seeing.
Personally, I have a long way to go...

Written Language/Maths Planning

Over the last few weeks we have looked at Written Language as a team. We shared ideas for Work on Writing during Daily Five . Various ideas as to the purpose of this part of Daily Five. My thoughts are that it is all about writing mileage. Write more, more practice makes a better writer.
We will be levelling pieces of writing together so that we have a shared understanding of what each level looks like. It's important that we have the same standard expectations across the team, and then school-wide obviously.

Last week the Team planned the Maths Time unit together. We all assumed responsibilities - planning units, resources, manipulatives, on-line activities, tutorials etc. As a team everyone expressed how good it was to spend time on this together. We could all have gob=ne away and done the same thing 5 times over. This was a good use of time and skills eg. Andrea is great with on line stuff and Leeann with manipulatives.

Teaching Fractions Teaching Videos

http://www.mathplayground.com/puzzle_pics_fractions.html

http://www.mathmammoth.com/videos/fractions_1.php#add_subtract_like_fractions

teacher tools

Maths Man
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-fractions


These videos all bring something to add to my understanding and skills base.
Seeing definitely works better for me than reading.
Using visual models, colouring and crossing out parts and then advancing into abstract problems all covered.
The Math Mammoth series of videos really useful for Stage 6 students who need extension and depth at their level.
This tutor explains very clearly and has helped me considerably.  

Teaching Channel- using pattern blocks to develop an understanding of part/whole fractions-such a good idea. Learners are learning numerator/denominator in a very meaningful context. Students use multiple representations- words, symbols
Concept of the whole is built easily using this idea.  

Buddy Class Time

Debbie and I have both noticed that the more relaxed and informal our activities are the more the buddies are interacting with one another. Our emphasis has been on the red part of the rainbow. WE have developed a very comfortable rapport between the classes and look forward to having fun together once a fortnight with the resolve to continue with the cooperative fun activities.

Enviro Action day

Atrocious weather! Made it really hard for the Envirokids' activity- drain marking. Quite a relaxed day- no competitions as normal, but an expectation that a water creature display be made for the hall. Places for displays are scarce at present! Sadly only a couple of class gardens got worked on. Did not see many parents- no doubt due to the rain!

Team Anxiety

Hopefully anxiety over Maths levels/cross grouping is easing. I am being very proactive, positive and calm (on the outside) as we move through the Maths PD process. Dinah is outstanding at her job and is a wonderful role model for us. She is easy to talk to and has helped us to move on. Andrea will be taking over from Andrea on the Lead Team to represent the Middle Team.

Lesley Klue and Del Costello

This was a breath of fresh air! And a confirmation that many of us have difficulties and concerns as we work with other people. It made me realise just how much I need someone to talk with- to unburden, share my state of mind and to support me to deal with with others.Would love to go again.

Enviroschools Workshop here

Held a workshop here after school with the main focus being Zero Waste. Heather came as the guest speaker.Several local pre-schools on board now. Offered our support. Shared resources and our own school experiences. Did a walk around of our school environment.

Winter Warmers

Really pleased that all classes in team will be participating. Such a good programme to encourage reading and using the Public Library. The added bonus of prizes always helps. Will share response ideas amongst the team.

Team Meeting Margot

Invited Margot to talk to team about Writing particularly for reluctant writers. She shared resources and ideas to use in our classrooms and has offered support to anyone who needs it. Big message- motivation!

Top Shade House and Tyre gardens

Operational after Wayne has put up shelves, got a water supply and moved pots, seed raising mix etc. Temperature is warmer in there so it should be more successful than the old one. Several tyre veggie gardens are moving in...

Gardening Grandparents

Lovely to meet interested folk. Pretty clear that time commitment needs to be 'as suits'. Because the Green Team operates at different times each week it is tricky. Clearly whatever we get is a win win for us. I will try to be a good communicator!

Zero Waste

Interesting educator. Will needs lots of support from all teachers as she is so new to the role. After Heather it's a bit of a shock. Very happy with the Reduce Unit our Team has started. Reaffirming to see the students with a great base knowledge already and a keen attitude towards helping the environment.

Sheila for Music

Yay! Sheila will start Team Singing and music lessons with classes once a fortnight. What a boon for the team. Her talent and expereince is of such value to us. She has presented a plan that looks very optimistic... We are all so excited and looking forward to it being some PD for us too.

Swim for Life

My first experience of this. What a fantastic opportunity this is for our students. I'm so impressed with the coaches and the programme. Despite the colder weather and the disruption to more than the time it takes for a lesson, it's invaluable. I can't help thinking how great it would be to have trained swimming coaches for the school Swimming programme.

Reading Resources

Great to have some extra spending on books for our Browsing boxes approved. Because Browsing book stocks are so low and of dubious value we have been using older Junior Journals and part 1 journals. I'm really happy that this has been addressed- even though these stocks will need to be continually built up.

Learning Conferences

As I thought, parents were very interested in the data from testing. We all had high turnout rates and very positive feedback. Amy came in to do hers. Portfolios really do look good- so nicely presented and reflect a lot of teaching and learning. Very impressed with students presenting skills- clearly comfortable in this role.

Children of Concern

We have so many of them... Tina is checking up on these as part of her role. We need Special Needs programmes to begin. Needs spread far and wide- Literacy, Numeracy, behaviour

Portfolios

So much to do in these- lots of really useful info for parents with the PAT and other test results, the progress graphs and then the samples of work. Want to think how to make these less time intensive but it's way down the list

Time

I'm struggling with time- or lack thereof. I have prioritised, made lists to organise myself but still don't feel on top of so much. Not in a good space but smiling for the world...

Team Folders

Have a folder for records of events, planning etc and the Team Assessment Folder. Need to spend time with Margot on this one. Have done what I'm confident with but need to do some forward planning.

Thank you to Swimming Parents Assembly

This was such a good idea- one I regretted thinking of initially, thinking it was an extra that I didn't need on top of everything else BUT it was so sweet- every class did something- poems,cards,thank you speeches etc. Then we gave each parent a plant from the nursery and a chocolate fish. Lovely feedback from parents and an amazing turnout! Following the red part of the rainbow...

Art Rotation

As part of our Art Unit based on Colour we are doing rotations around the classes so that each class gets to do a new activity with another teacher on the team. So far, we are all reeling with the success of it. Kids love it- so do we. The work involved in presenting the pieces to their class teachers is a bit onerous, but we all agree it has been worth it. I really enjoyed working with students I didn't really know.

Bird Business

Our class Envirojob is looking after the budgie aviary and the spin-off is selling the baby birds. We have set up a BUdgie Business in our class with Sadie in control. The group is responsible for advertising and dealing with customers. Highly motivating for the whole class. We love to hear them reporting back- especially on the amount of money they are amassing. Great enterprise

Green Team

Looking forward to starting with this group= applications coming in. Sad though not to be involved with Envirokids but confident that Jayne will do a wonderful job- love working with her!

Swimming

So much to organise. So lucky to have a supportive and flexible group of teachers in this team. Everyone rises to the occasion. We are all feeing confident as a result of PD we did at the start of the year. Lots of parent helpers too which will ease the load. Data from last year re swimming levels has helped with initial groupings. So lucky to have Tina as an extra teacher- again!

Life Without Laura...

More time for schoolwork of course, but already feels like a big part of my life is missing. Seeing her well prepared and excited for her Uni adventure inspires me to work hard with students in my care so that they can realise their dreams and potential. No time to break down when I start to feel emotional... cos I'm SO busy!

Te Reo in Staff Meetings

I love the time dedicated to develop our skills and knowledge- so beautifully done by Dicey for us. teacherwrite Maori Language kete will be one to watch Must uphold this in our team meetings. We are lucky to have Tina who has a wide experience with Te reo in our team.

Maths PD

Looks big for this year. Some really thought provoking readings, particularly the Cross grouping one. Can imagine that will cause some conversations! If our teaching practises are supposed to be research based, then this requires some serious consideration. Also interesting- the pressure to learn basic facts. A fundamental change here. Look forward to hearing more.

SPORTS!!

Athletics preparation, YMCA Sports STARS and soon swimming... thinking on this one. The time commitment is huge and in my mind does not help to establish classroom routines and getting to know each other- really important to start the year with. I will definitely look closely at this for next year.

First Team Assembly

Outside in the fresh air- felt very self conscious and was keen to not be the only speaker so involved all teachers during the assembly. My goal was to project a positive and proud image- I MUST continue with the positive theme- I remember too many negative assemblies that gave me the heebie-jeebies So I have a GOAL!

TOD Joseph

After working with Joseph last year this was something I was looking forward to and I was NOT disappointed! All about the importance of attachment. Resonated really powerfully with me in terms of being able to identify students I have known, and with strongly held core beliefs I already held. Loved his recollections of dealing with troubled students and his quiet and respectful way of doing it. It's all about relationships... I will definitely carry his messages close to me this year. More reading to do!

TOD Swimming PD with Kathy from AUSTSWIM

Survival skills really important Basic skills- floating, stroke components, freestyle, leg and body position, arm actions, breathing, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, treadmill Messages I took- analyse problems as you see them and teach to correct them milk bottles great for floating looking for streamlined, smooth and continuous movements breathing- not a head movement- a shoulder one breathing as naturally as poss breaststroke- arms, then kick- not simultaneous treadmill- good to practice as a survival skill AUSTSWIM go on line to watch and read pointers

PATs

Had a good look at tests we use in Middle Team and working on timetabling. have done some reading re using the data we get from this testing. Have been looking at NZCER website - the information page for Parents was a good place to start. Have had a good look around the site for info on our tests and feel more confident to talk about them now. The TKI page on PATs was an excellent overview.

OLE Optimal Learning Environments

Acronym used instaed of Modern Learning Environments at this school. Faye and Louise both continuing with this initiative - lots of furniture being purchased. Must go look and do some reading...

TED Talks

Have made these a 'favourite' to remind me to take time to view those that interest me- education and enviro. Watched these - https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_emdin_teach_teachers_how_to_create_magic all about using hip hop to help students engage- really intetesting https://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_ritz_a_teacher_growing_green_in_the_south_bronx using gardening in the Bronx area to build community and engage students

Joint Enviro Role- 28 Jan Meeting

Met with Jayne to discuss how the split will work. She's very apprehensive but keen. I will sort timetabling. Jayne wants to split EK's into Yr2/3 and Yr 3/6. Not sure how this will work... We have planned to meet every Wednesday at morning tea time in Room Q so that we keep in touch and deal with needs promptly. Another meeting time but we both feel it will be necessary at this stage.

First Team Meeting during holidays

Good start to the year. Not sure what's going on in everyone's' minds. Spent time talking about myself, my background and my goals for the team. Lovely to have Tina join us- as our CRT release teacher and support teacher for the term. Feel like I'm floundering a bit, trying to find my feet. Lots of work to be done in my own class and for the team...here goes